1,552 comments:

I agree on your point about 99's being in precarious position next year. Can't see how any major showcase will be properly set up for them. Don't give a damn about the team results but most teams will be completely new lineups. College coaches can only cover so many games, how can we expect them to see the talent when it is completely been rearranged?

Worse than that they have to break into teams that are already set and formed the existing u17 99/98 team. Possibly minus one or two graduating 98 seniors born after August 1. So there will be one or two "openings" for as many as twelve or even possibly more August-dec 99s. Tough to make the team much less get good Playing time. Will most of these kids bounce down to the 99/98 B team in whatever form- NPL etc? Will most look for another club? the 00s are fine but the 99s horrible

My daughter is a November '99. If she doesn't come out of this summer with an offer from one of her top 10 choices she's shafted as far as moving on to a '98 squad that is already beyond it's curb appeal. So the question is, this spring do you stay with your current team on State Cup game day or go to the ID Clinic you really want to go to?

Has the Collge coach expressed an interest in recruiting your daughter? If it is a college ID clinic I reccomend going if they are only having one. The other option is to have your daughter send an email to the coach letting them know of the conflict indicating her interest in the program and providing a schedule of future events (possible upcoming cup games?)

The other thing to take into consideration is whether the current team factors high in State cups. Coaches not only look at field play but decision making and loyalty.

I think what you will see is that the top (competitive) USYS teams will stay largely unchanged, and will just jump to U18. Look at the National League berths for 2016-2017 (link). All the U16 teams slot into U18. If the teams change radically and don't maintain roster continuity, then they will lose their spots. The teams in our area are staying together and will be largely the same. There is no concerted efforts to get the 2000's to a U17 team - they will just play up on their existing team. A large reason for this is the player pool that the club(s) have. There will be the usual attrition of kids who decide not to play, or maybe a pickup or two of someone looking for greener pastures. Other than that, I expect the rosters to be largely the same. (again, this is for the teams in our area)

The ECNL and NPL teams that have a large pool of players to choose from may see heavy reorganization. Unlike the USYS teams, they have no incentive to maintain roster continuity, although some may decide to stay together to retain team chemistry. A lot depends on the area and number of players they have to pull from.

There may be an uptick in non-ECNL players making the 2000 and younger ECNL rosters due to the attrition up. If you are a 12-20 ECNL player on a team now at birth year pure you may make a move to the starting line up, NPL players that are 1-11 could make the ECNL roster at age pure. And for that matter nonECNL/NPL players may move to an ECNL team due to pure numbers.

PDA, Penn Fusion, East Meadow 00 teams will be filled from within by combining the u15 and u16 00s. Most of the better players on those u16 teams are 00s already. Only possibility is if the HBC (u15)or Penn Strikers USYSA national league teams implode and a few top players become available. Tons of room for 00 at CFC. NPL unlikely at most teams. Might see some movement of uncommitted 00s trying to break into u17 ECNL. Tryouts in a month or so will tell. What happens to Quickstrike? What's their 00/99 balance? They are doing really well, but can't believe they wont be impacted by the age changes. Same with Strikers guessing they play USYSA u18 national league next year.

Looks like Strikers had a hiccup at Jeff Cup. It will be interesting to see what they do. I am familiar with their model but not with the team, based on the rostering process the coach/manager may need to commit to the current roster and play at U18 until they all commit/cycle out.

CFC may comine all '00 from NPL and U15 older half to get an ECNL team, NPL team will be tough to field.

Where do people on this Blog get their info? So much speculation without any facts. Maybe you are a parent and know something additional. I am not positive but I am almost certain the Strikers still have 99 and 00 players. As for results, Maybe they just played all of their kids, as did most teams. I believe it was a showcase event for the entire team and from what I saw, they were paired against some pretty good ECNL Teams. I don't think a lot can be determined by looking at Jeff Cup based on any teams results alone. Most of the teams probably adjusted their lineups one way or another.

3 I thinkThey are a shoo in for da. I think the ecnl operating agreement requires clubs to put their top teams in the ecnl. That might be the problem in having both ecnl and da teams unless the operating agreement is changed. I don't know their governance and what process or voting had to occur to change it but I think it says top team ecnl and second team NPL.

Yes because kids and parents maybe more don't want to be associated with B teams when they don't make ECNL. So they go to FC Europa or Penn Legacy or...NPL atre mostly local kids who don't want to travel far to training and have been in the club a long time.

I am seeing an interesting situation. Girls are coming out to ECNL clubs and looking to train and are sent directly to NPL teams. there are also "call-ups" where girls are getting opportunities within ECNL clubs to train up. Since the start of spring I have seen an influx of players showing up and training but not getting spots on ECNL even with some thinner rosters.

It is also interesting that very few NPL and no ECNL teams are playing state cups. I am thinking ECNL is exempt and for NPL it is a fine line if the teams are not successful.

I do not think the DA will impact U16 and above, the reason being is that gilrs on established ECNL teams will not want to make the move, if they are NT caliber they are already in the system, the only exception I see is if US soccer mandates that they move to DA in order to stay on the NT radar.

THe tougher choice will be the U13-U15 players and how clubs will address the issue. If the club is providing all levels up through ECNL will they add DA or replace the ECNL team. To me, one indication that that the current PA ECNL teams are positioning for DA status is the additional effort put on coaching changes and announcements. This is the first time in a while where the coaching rosters were adjusted and published with anticipation and fanfare.

1155 I am pretty sure they will move. Once you have experienced the NT thing, you want more and Im sure the thought process will be if I play in front of the decision makers more often, I increase my chances.

12:11 PMI belive that the DA will work the way ODP pools work now. THe DA team will be the local pool with teams playing the other DA teams in the region with national camps/tournaments, just being on a DA team does not gaurentee a NT camp invite. Agreed, if you have ever been to an NT camp you will want to continue to play at that level. There has already been movement within ECNL teams where the powers that be in US soccer have "transferred" players from one ECNL team to another so that they would be in the best environment. The other factor will be cost. If the DA training, uniforms and games are no cost except for travel it would be an easy decision.

820/825 you have shown me the U16 roster AND the 2013 U15 one. Neither of which is relevant. It does not make the point at all. The only point it makes to me is that there is no official pool. I also don't see any PDA or MFit players on the current u16 roster.

Trying to figure out your argument. ECNL is the current highest level of play for girls, EPA is not the hotbed of getting girls to NT rosters (mostly CA, VA.TX. CO). US Soccer wants a girls DA to "Discover and develop" top talent fot the NT program. If we look in comparison the success of the current girls development to Boys development we can see that ECNL (Mallory Pugh as an example) is working fine as it is. Someone got upset and decided to start their own thing (again) and now we have the proposed "Next Top Tier" of girls soccer, a selfish self absorbed DA model that currently does not work on the boys side. (incedentially the Girls DA will be run by the same diplomats).

I honestly think that FIFA has approached the US womens team directors and asked them to find a way to dilute the pool so that other FIFA countries have an opportunity to compete and in turn they will help bolster the US mens program.

As I said trying to find actual updated rosters is difficult, her is the latest US soccer link based on the 2015 ODP.http://www.region1.com/Content/directors/upimg/dir8697/godp%20rosters/u15%20boca%20roster-2015.pdf

again, that is ODP. Irrelevant. There is no pool at U16 that is public.You cant. Let me tell you what the poll is. It invented by parents whose kids are not in the current camp. Im sure there is a list of players, but the USSF certainly do not tell you and the def do not publish @ U16. They would be foolish to do so.

if your kid is in the current NT camp, congrats. If she has been and is not in the current one, still congrats and im sure she can be invited down the line. if she has never been, its not a great process, but I hope she gets a shot at being seen and evaluated fairly.

So with tryouts coming up what is the concensus, is your player attending current club only tryouts or shopping around at different clubs. some seem to think that the age change may open spots at higher level clubs. As for my player we are putting all eggs in one baket.

I definitely think the birth year opens up opportunity for current u16 00s but the change will close options for the 99 who have to make already established team of kids older and more experienced than they at 99/98. If my child was one of the best players in a high level travel type situation I would definitely consider having her throw her hat in the 00 ECNL ring. Last chance for a good deal.

In the EPA area there are few teams below ECNL/EDP/NPL that compete at the U16/U17 level. Natural attrition may hurt more then girls looking to upgrade. With the ECNL tryout dates there may be some transfers among clubs. For a girl to break in to a U17 ECNL team she will need to be a strong player. Most of the ECNL clubs have 3-4 teams to pull from (2 ECNL and 1 NPL). Some ECNL clubs were adding to their NPL rosters right after PAGs short season. THe hopes of the girls is that they are in the club and hope to be leveled at ECNL based on the age change. Coaches are also fickle and know who is on the radar and are already talking to players who are interested in ECNL spots. Showing up without prior interest will be a long shot.

12:10 there are plenty of strong players in non ecnl clubs that could potentially make the teams even without the age shift. I don't believe any ecnl coach would not take on a player that was stronger than any players on their npl team. If you think there is complete club loyalty I think you're mistaken.

That being said. Most strong non ecnl players aren't necessarily looking to get into the ecnl. If they had wanted to they would've done so already and probably choose not to do so for a variety of reasons.

Looks like Quickstrike in NY just committed another player from their U16. Defender heading to UConn along with forward to Notre Dame. Still plenty of top players from non- ecnl programs getting the same exposure. No ODP, no National camps, just high quality players.

Re:ODP roster / connecting the dots - the top players in that list were invited to Boca to train (about 1/2 of that list). all of those listed players are invited to train/play at an international location. Many locations changed this year due to security concerns abroad.

If your child is like the 2018 Quickstrike players that have just committed they are aware of their options now. I do believe that there are some kids/families who expected to have several choices on the table at this time and for whom that has not become the reality. I am not saying that there are not ECNL players in the same boat please keep in mind. However, those non ECNL kids might be wondering if their chance of success would be enhanced if they switched now for a perceived last chance at the ring.

Having said that, I do not believe that ECNL teams will switch out the bottom 5-8 of the roster for an outside kid to come off the bench. I do however, think they would snatch up a player in a heartbeat that they see as "special" and would happily take any kid they see as a starter from the outside.

11:54 I don't think ECNL is the solution for the kids. More important is the coach or club being an advocate for the player. If your coach is not willing to work to get the college opportunities it is that much more difficult. So switching clubs will only help if the coach can assist. This is the issue with many smaller clubs and ill equipped coaches. Check his or track record of players playing in college. As a sophomore the door my be closing for the top college programs but is still wide open for the hundreds of others colleges and universities. Plenty of players do not commit until junior and senior years.

If your coach is not willing to work to get the college opportunities it is that much more difficult

with soccer being such a pay to play and therefore middle class sport, we seem to develop and indulge this attitude. Its up to the player and the parents to work hard to put themselves in a position to get eh best chance to get where they want to go. A coach should not market a poor player. By poor I mean a poor fit to the school in question. I don't know a single coach who will not look at a player who is a good fit. it is on the parents to be realistic an honest and put the game in perspective with regard to college plans.

Agree with your point about parents but having the right coach will certainly help a good player with aspirations. If you coach is involved in the process it helps, to think otherwise is very foolish. Communication between coach and schools is the main conduit for the younger players on the college radars.

How about the disaster going on with Rush and SJE in south jersey? The building of a super club is falling apart as players are attending other clubs tryouts such as the new COPA south group. Nothing like walking your players through the front gates of your competition. Greed catch's up with all.

Prejudging something as a disaster before it even starts, that's funny. Yes, a lot of people are upset because they have to find a home for their kids, and it's tough on the U-16's because they will likely never see the benefit, but having strong clubs in the South is likely good for the up and coming kids. Does any one really believe that there is a strong club system in the South? At this age are the Barons or the Rush really very competitive clubs?

Need to thank those who posted previously re tips with respect to commitments and suggestions about what can be expected as far as money, housing, food, books, etc. Your assistance is great. Was not sure what to expect, but these have been very good tips. Keep up with the helpful posts.

8:28- I am with you. I am the one who asked the original question. It would be nice if people would share anonymously, of course, just so others had an idea of what is a reasonable expectation. I have heard things and it ranges from full ride to books. I would just like to know what would be considered a fair offer.

Its hard to answer your question. Example: Take a top tall and or uber fast CB(I think that's the position you said your child plays. Let's say she is on a champions league level ECNL team or alternatively on a team where she is clearly the reason that they hang in games, against top competition (ECNL or top two brackets of national level tournaments). Also premise that she has not been to national camp and doesn't participate in ODP. I think she could get 50-75% (say VaTech) in general to a top 25 school if they really need a CB and think she would play a lot and pair well with existing personnel. Same kid could demand 100% on a top level mid major (ex JMU)team or 90% (rarely do power 5s give 100% to non national or even international kids) on a lower ranked power 5 school say Syracuse or Maryland. A lesser CB playing top competition could easily get a 50% from a mid major in a lesser conference (lets say Seton hall for example) that is fully funded. Just talking athletic money by the way.

Question, what is the proper amount of communication with the coach as a parent? As my daughter has gotten older I have pretty much been a consumer of the information sent out by the coach and team manager responding to requests for information directed at parents but letting my daughter respond to questions from the coach regarding availbality or if she will need to miss a practice due to a school or family event. But on the other hand I understand that there is a texting protocol where the coach is directly reaching out to players for information that I may want to be aware of. There is also the stigmatism that I want to avoid where I become "That" parent while at the same time feel that my teen daughter may not always have the presence of mind to respond accordingly.

What level are you looking for. At '99 some clubs are combining the 99/98 birth years so there will be a high number of players. Most current clubs will be fielding teams at that age. The '99s are the most impacted by the birth year change.

Top Level Teams are subjective. If you are looking for good college exposure the ECNL teams are where to be. FC Bucks, Penn Fusion and Continental FC. PA Classics is a good team as well. Harleysville may or may not be an option for you. the best thing to do is research through EPYSA Cups to see what teams at that age made it deep into the cup run (NCS) Got Soccer offers some insight but the numbers can be skewed as not all teams play the same agressive schedule to get points (meaning some teams will enter lower level tournaments to build up their numbers) the better indicator on GS is the head to head against better teams).

Also based on what team your are with now could play a factor on how open a coach at a higher level team will be. at 17 a player should already have a reputation across the soccer landscape with interest coming to you. Has your player been asked to guest with any teams or attend training? showing up unannounced at a tryout may not put you on the radar when few spots are availbale. The team we are with has been entertaining "guests" at training since March 1.

Yes it's tough on the 99sMy daughter, sophomore now, will most likely be on a team with 50/50 juniors and seniors; seniors mostly committed to a schoolIt will be all on us (my daughter) to contact coaches to be seen at showcases. Not too many coaches will randomly watch a team with that many older girls except that the club name behooves it

For what its worth, if your club merits looks from College coaches is your concern that with so many committed already the coach/manager will not plan to attend showcases? Another avenue is have her attend a few ID camps at the schools she is interested in this summer. If she performs well there it gives the College coach a reason to come watch her play next year.

The northeast ECNL is putting together "composite" 00/99/98 teams for competition in 2016-2017. They will do 2 showcases. We don't know yet for sure, but likely there will be league play too. They will be most likely made up of largely 99 juniors. Possibly 00 juniors who are committed or are bubble u17 00 players and whom the coaches think the u17 00 team can do without and remain competitive. The teams will probably be about as competitive as the current ECNL99/00 u16 teams are now. They will be looking for solid 99s to bolster these teams. They will make up some of the 99/00 ECNL team or DA team for 2017-18 and the clubs will treat them right to keep competitive the following year or to field a strong oldest level DA team.

Another consideration would be the PA Strikers. They will keep their 99 national league spot and would be happy, I am sure, to garner a few more older players to compete at that level.

PA Classics' best 99s already went to Strikers. The 99s won't pick up much there because the DA that they will likely be awarded will be behind the 99s.

I would challenge your statment regarding the combining of 3 age groups for an ECNL team. Looks like 99/98 will make up the top age for ECNL, I have not heard or seen from any ECNL club that they will include 00 birth years as part of that level. ECNL will also still mandate the 4 showcases (Florida, San Diego, PDA and Championships. DA will not be an issue but will be split birth years (reverting back to the change to single birth years estblished for 2016) for 2017/2018. Also, are you suggesting that PA Classics is getting the girls DA Badge???

Do you think a coach would informa a player where they stand when seleted at tryouts? for example "we would like to offer you a starting spot on the team" of "we would like to offer you a spot on the team, we have a strong group of starters and feel you can compete for a spot".

Based on the age change and fluid nature of tryouts it still seems like the clubs/coaches hold all of the cards. If a player is looking at 2 teams it would be nice to know if one has them slotted higher.

I have heard rumors regarding at least 15 clubs being mentioned as DA Possible teams in this area alone. Pretty sure it will be about 3 in the tri- state at most. Sure gonna be alot of disappointed clubs. I would believe if any clubs had a real inside track we would hear more concrete rumors. I would venture a guess that it might include Tab Ramos' club, Only because of his involvement on the National level. It will be his reward for pushing forward the recent soccer directives. It will also support the notion that soccer at the highest level is still about who you know and nothing more. Will be interesting.

There has been an ECNL announcement about a second ECNL team at 99/98 called the ECNL "composite" team. there is talk of adding 00s. Again this team is in addition to the 99/98 U18/19 ECNL team and the U17 00 ECNL team.

Oh and yes I think Classics will get the DA because the USSF is well aware of their famous progeny Chrsitian Pulisic. And yes I think the PA Classic u17 team was badly affected by the three kids who are now strikers and the u16 team is very weak.

Yes my thoughts are why would usysa have any influence on the decisions of the USSF? The USSF runs its ore academy organization through us club soccer. Why would they show any preference to usysa clubs?

Application for DA starts 5/2, be patient....Many clubs are forming "composite" 99/98 teams due to sheer numbers...The shame in all of this is that the 99s are definitely the "losers" in this birth year change...

I don't think you understand. This ECNL composite team will participate in ECNL showcases and the northeast ECNL league as an additional team. Not just a hodgepodge thrown together. It will have ECNL coaches coaching it and will not be treated as an afterthought.

@9:46.. Has this been officially announced by ECNL? Our DOC said 2 teams for 98/99 was a possibility, but we haven't heard officially from the club. If it is official, will there be 2 divisions at that age or all teams in the same division?

7:04 What ever longstanding issue you have, it's time to grow up. You have a 16 year older daughter playing a a couple of years left to play. A good psychologist would tell you its time to look at yourself in the mirror and dig deep to address whatever mommy and daddy issues you have. Maybe call your parents and tell them that you forgive them

Bucks 2000 tryouts had a lot of players. The Bucks 99s and 2000 roster has about 14 2000s so they need to add some. Bucks 99 tryout next week. Are there any local non ecnl teams that my 2000 can tryout for and wont have to play up 99

Huntingdon Valley, and possibly the Philly soccer Coppa team. Not sure if they hold tryouts or invites. HFC Ready but they may be combining 00/99 due to numbers, I also do not think they play a league schedule. Could all possibly be PAGS short season then Showcases.

Region 1 champions league question. Can you use players from another region one team within your Club on the club pass? Another words you have a u16 team and a u17 team. Can your u16 players play on your u17 team as well?

Hey, did anybody Answer the question above. Does anybody know if the ecnl will allow ecnl clubs to have more thAn one team in a age group ? Like 99/ 98 to offset the new age rules disruption ? I would like to know as well . And if possible , is it published anywhere ? Thanks

The ECNL composite team is happening at the 98/99 age group only. The ECNL combined the 98/99 age groups. This left a number of players out in the cold as there are more than 20 98/99s players at each club. The answer is the composite team.

It is definitely a merry-go-round. Hopefully the players are looking at the best fit, it seems like we as consumers have to settle for whatever product we get. The ECNL by nature seems to be the golden ticket but can be a bit daunting especially if you are 15-22 on the roster. Clubs know what numbers they need and who is shopping around to align with certain coaches who have the contacts they need for the next level. If you read the Bio's of the coaches you will be able to hopefully make an informed decision. Also be careful if you stay at your current team but see an influx of players from another team, brokered offers may not gaurentee playing time but loyalty to existing players is almost non-existent. The coaches are also looking for their next level jobs and they are not focused on real training at this age, acquire and win is the mantra.

CFC has a good group of 2000's. Excellent facilities, three practices a week and they don't carry 22 or more girls on the roster. The coaching is good and the environment is good. From an organizational standpoint the Bucks 00/01 team is having a really difficult time in the areas listed above and it is that group of people now running the 2000's. It is not a good situation for ECNL soccer. The drive wasn't bad either.

The CFC 00s would have been very weak if the Bucks kids hadn't come over. Now they will make up a highly respectable team with an excellent coach. However, no one will touch the PDA 00 team. All of the starting attacking and midfield players on the gunners are 00. Most of the u15 team are also 00. They wont even have to bring in any new blood to take a national championship. In fact there will be cuts in that age group. Penn Fusion looks like a pretty solid group of 00s assuming no new adds from top u15/16 non ECNL teams throwing their hats in. They should be competitive with CFC. Bucks will have a -34 GD next year. PDA national champs, yes I called it...

So there are still tryouts for PF and FCB, CFC has not "oficially" sent out offers and you are calling for a stronger CFC team with added FCB players and PF is set with no adds. I am thinking you are either and FCB or CFC parent who has inside info. Don't start rockin the boat....

Like most FCB teams you see each year they get worse. They were a state cup champion, top ranked and then after U14 the rest of the teams catch up and pass them. Certainly the case with the 00/01 FCB team. Makes sense the 00 players from the 99/00 want to get out before they run into issues. Right now we know that once a week practice will be cancelled for some odd reason or we simply dont have field space. There is a big difference in how other ECNL programs are being run. If your happy then stay, if you think the program seems stressed then move on.

Why is the rumor mill spining? Any team worth it's salt is going to take new players that are good and add value/depth to its roster, including PF, FCB, CFC, MF. It's just how it goes. The 2000's overall are very good and it should be an amazing year for soccer in this area.

Unfortunately, it is kinda hard to finish out this year with the same amount of verve (2000's are carrying some current blended 99/00 teams). Get your popcorn. It should be great!

12:24...don't call anything yet. PF has two nat'l team players, current and past...so the training STILL amazing...(for next year) so I heard. It should be awesome!!! Yes, PDA has depth, but so will other teams next year, too. The soft roster spots on other teams will be gone and it will be game on.

A lot of these kids have played together already for YNT, ODP, Regional, Select events, Academy Jr's. Things that were already birth date dictated events/teams so they know each other. It should be amazing soccer.

Agree the 2000 in the u16 group overall are generally the strongest players. The PDA 00 I agree are particularly strong but I think their back 4 will take a hit. If the u15 have a couple stud center backs I think they will be hard to beat. They have 2 national players too. Several others underrated by Ussf and might get a chance after the new year when the 00 become the u18 team. Similarly the PF u16 top players are 00 with one dominance in the midfield and forwards. One also in the national program in the past is tearing up to 15s. Bucks has a few solid 00 players that could really improve the weaker CFC 00s. The best CFC players are inarguably their 99s and I am sure would welcome an influx of 00 talent. Matchfit from midfield back are really good 00 players. Many are regional ODP standouts. Their attacking player standout however is a 99. However a weak u15 may not offer some attacking power. Seems like a great opportunity for 00 NJ players looking to give a final shot to a top program. Alternatively might be a good move for the match fit defense to move to PDA. Then I absolutely agree a national championship (only real national championship anymore) would be in its grasp.

1.00am You have made many negative posts about bucks. What is your agenda? They have one player from ny who plays for them. She is a good player who has accepted a roster spot for next year. Is your team desperate for the 2 bucks players trying out?

6:23 I apologize if you though my post at 1:00 am was negative. I have not made any negative posts about any teams, including Bucks. I like Bucks. I was merely asking if anyone knew if the kids (and they are not the only discovery players coming down from that area. Other teams/clubs have them as well) were going to still come down or play for NY Flash which is closer. How is that negative?

6:23 cont'd. And my understanding they have two, a forward and a defender. And they are both good players. Nothing negative toward them at all. Again, they are not the only discovery players in the conference or the league from that area. It was a question since Flash is starting a team. That's all. i know players from this league that have been invited to come to Flash.

Has anyone heard that our u16 team lost to Mexico on pks. The point here is this: the Mexican pool is based out 90% of players from the Ecnl ! How is that possible we get 1st pick and we are still getting it wrong . How many players are we really missing?

The point is the US U16 team tied the Mex U17 team 1-1 and lost on pks. the same Mex team that made the CONCACAF final vs the US 17s and lost 1-2. The same team that is preparing for the World Cup. A team that has been prepping for some time.

So please. If you want to take as shot at the kids or the USSF, at least get you FACTS correct.

It was not the same team. Check the rosters. maybe you should get your facts straight. It was the Mexican B team. they were using the event just as the US was to see if there were any overlooked players for the WC roster.

Sounds like your kid went. Nope I am not the same poster as1:42. I agree our selection process is really screwed up with huge biases toward the FC Stars team and any player from Colorado where April Kater is centered. I can understand the emphasis on socal, but the other anamolies are unsubstantiated.

people crack me up. Just say, my kid deserves to be selected. u16s vs U17s. very credible performance. Why you use this as a tool to attack USSF selection OR the kids I have no idea. Please tell me EXACTLY who you think should be selected and why you think they will make all the difference?

NT selection is purely based on coaches preferences. Change the coaches, and the team will change. How many of the selected kids have you seen play? Why do you understand a Socal preference. Have you seen them?

Wrong there is a u17 camp going on now. They took a couple of the best U16 Italy kids to this camp to give them a look for the WC. There are always changes in the roster between qualifiers and the WC, Also a lot of the games were streamed. There are also some games on youtube.

As for selection... There is clearly a bias for Stars players because Dewhurst is a u16 coach. Can't deny it. Also Kater is the Colorado connection also undeniable. I won't put any kids out there to be ridiculed, but yes I think there is easily a team that could be put together of u17s that would clean the current YNT team's clock.

Since it wasn't the U17 MX YNT (any top offering form Mexico would include their best player by far- Jaqueline Ovalle), yes I think a group of top 2000 born Americans should easily beat the Mexican B team. I believe that even if the entire MX team was born in 1999 which I doubt. The American u17s at Qualifiers was probably over half 2000 and 2001 born kids.

Point is that The team of 2000 sent to Italy wasn't very good. Simple enough for you? To answer the second question, that team isn't that great either. BJ Snow failed to qualify in 2014 and yet he keeps his position again demonstrating the lengths of the USSF incompetence?

The gunners are an excellent team. 5 holes mostly back line players can be filled by the current u15s for the most part. They play a team oriented, technically advanced attractive game. They will lead the 00 group nationally again next year as the 99s are doing now.

Obviously the USSF disagree with you. When you are in charge, you can pick the players you think are better. Until then, I really don't see the point in complaining. Our kids can work harder to get selected, or complain about the system. Your choice is clear. BTW, several of the U17 and U16 teams have been recruited by some of the best soccer schools in the country so I guess the college coaches don't agree with you either. if you think that these girls don't paly well as a team, then perhaps you have a valid point (if you have actually watched both teams)

No one is complaining or stupid enough, except possibly you, to believe that anyone of import is listening. This is merely a discussion board a fact which has not been lost on the majority of us. It has been suggested that the selection of these teams could be more comprehensive and less obviously politically motivated. Politics will never go completely away but the stars connection and Colorado dominance is pretty in your face. No one said they weren't good players either; simply that it was doubtful that they represented all of the best players in the country at that age. The USSF has been criticized pretty globally recently regarding the recent mandates and you suggest they are beyond reproach? Worst thing to happen to us women's soccer was winning the 2015 WC.

Regarding colleges. The coaches defend their performance by their recruitment record. Recruiting national players keeps the AD off their back and the contract renewed. A couple of u17 cycles ago the darling of the group was a kid named Summer Green. One of the if not the first Dorrance recruit in the class. Probably the TDS top ranked player in the class. Ask him how that worked out for him. Scoring a ton of goals against concacaf teams is no predictor of ultimate success. Read the articles on early recruiting and the coaches, the source of the issue, lamenting how many kids don't pan out for them. Those going very early usually have the national stamp of approval laid upon their foreheads. So the coaches recruiting these players means exactly what? That's verification of their superior quality and more importantly potential? I think not.

Watch the 2015 u20 NTC game USA versus Japan (YouTube) and tell me how well the USSF is doing with its selections. And the great Mallory Pugh is a bonus for your viewing pleasure.

why are you so bitter? FC Stars connection? What connection? A coach is always going to look at players he knows. Do you have any idea what the standard is, or are you just talking for talkings sake? Selection of any team is not fair. You keep talking about the selections when the obvious place to look is the actual style of play and the coaching. I have no clue what your cryptic comment about Pugh actually means, but she seems to have done OK at NT level. Using a NC kid as an example makes little sense given the way they play and his recruiting methods. Now that the number of schools attracting top players has broadened, pace, pressing and power does not work as often as it did in Dorrance heyday.

Are there kids who deserve a chance who have not gotten one? Definitely. Are there kids who are perhaps given too many chances? Surely. Your point about superior quality makes no sense. The coaches recruiting these kids are extremely competent. They want to win. In some cases, they are bigger than the AD in terms of rep. You really think that they are taking a kid who has an NT stamp to waste a scholarship and please an AD? You are reaching my friend. Your conspiracy theories are too far fetched. The bias you speak of may exist in a few limited cases, but to paint the entire group with that is just flat out bitter.

I hope your kid get selected soon because you need to get the monkey off your back!

Its not clear if the composite teams are going to be essentially "b" NPL teams or kind of function like the DA US club soccer run "pre-academy" teams for off year kids. I think it will be the latter. It will be a high level holding teams for the younger age group in the combined top age group. Most will be juniors. many will have a real chance to play in the ECNL top combined age group (then I guess 99/00) as seniors. I think it will be a lot like the pre-academy, very competitive, in DA club teams. In fact if some ecnl teams get DA the composite teams will likely morph into the pre-academy teams and plya in the us club pre academy leagues.

"Has anyone heard that our u16 team lost to Mexico on pks. The point here is this: the Mexican pool is based out 90% of players from the Ecnl ! How is that possible we get 1st pick and we are still getting it wrong . How many players are we really missing?

May 9, 2016 at 1:42 AM"

I did not post it. However, I thought it provoked interesting commentary and I don't think poster 10:49 needs to get personal

ok so my question is what score would USA u16s have to beat the Mex u17s by to negate the criticism? The OP original point is totally invalid given the teams are diff year. U17s beat Mex U17s 2-1. If he had posted after that game, maybe.

Look its not 755 with all the hostility sent out to other posters. Maybe he's unhappy with the USSF but you are the one quashing the discussion with your personal garbage. Congrats to your kid if she was selected to an id or national event. I don't think there is any specific kid's selection except possibly the stars kids being questioned. Seems like the process is up for discussion. You have been successful in nixing any discussion of the selection process and performance of the ynts. Yes I agree that there were 2 FC stars kids out of 18 in Italy with their Coach is suspicious.

Regarding Pugh, not sure what the reference was other than to say that she played in the game referenced might make it more interesting to watch.

what exactly is the point of the discussion? To point out FC Stars? Is that it? That sounds personal to me. No mention of their ability. Just that its ALL about the coach. That's personal BS. Those kids work hard. Or the kids from Colorado etc. I mean really, has the OP even seen them play? How is it suspicious? That sounds personal to me. Questioning the mans integrity and honesty. The best part is you read all this stuff from someone who has no clue other than a score on a web page and a list of names and what clubs they play for. And you defend it. smh

Just so you know these same points have been made in many other venues without inciting the kind of negative energy you have been sending out into cyberspace. Way too much of a reaction to be coincidence. The selection process has been criticized by many soccer pundits. Its been a topic for discussion on many soccer talk radio shows. recently Phil Shoen had a great show called grassroots something related to development and selection at youth levels and its affect on the national teams.

This is a u16 blog and so we are discussing this topic as it applies to u16 players. Why act like its such a crazy subject with posters who have incited interesting dialog as villains? I get it you don't want discussion regarding the selection practices leading to a relative failure of the u16 GNT in Italy. Yes relative failure. 4th place and possibly 5th if they had been in the opposite group, is not up to gYNT standards. And yes...I am sure the USSF would agree

No offense to the two or three people posting about this whole Mexico vs usSoccer stuff. Most of us really don't care out here in cyber world. Most of us really are more concerned with getting our players committed and getting good solid training. Since the board has been relatively quiet it's more noticeable and no one really cares lol

So start a more interesting discussion. Your post wasn't really a contribution to anything. If you are concerned about committments do you have anything to offer regarding visits? Any tips on coach emails? Any entertaining stories? Dos and don'ts? Questions you or your child has asked that resulted in useful information? When in the process is the best time to visit? Does it matter if it's a drive able day trip versus an airline ticket? In general has the process gone for those that are committed? How long did you dance before the invitation to the team came? When did you as a parent get involved in the discussion. Was there a negotiation? How has the coaches responded to attempts at negotiation? Take it or leave it or more flexibility? Have the club coaches been helpful in offering advice?advocating for his players? If you are disinterested in the YNT discussion contribute to a new "thread" .

From what I have heard, it should be very competitive soccer and training and will likely have same games as rest of ECNL teams in that particular club. But, ask the Director or Asst. Director of Coaching for additional information.

As far as recruiting, because of the unique situation within the various Leagues regarding the mandatory age group teams, it should be fine. But, you may want to get some feedback from college coaches, too. They know the deal and are trying to still do their jobs, too. They will follow the players to complete their roster spots.

7:00 Not sure where you are now, but any ECNL team will get looks over most non-ECNL teams. And, the Club you mentioned has a very good reputation as far as player development and transition into college. Good luck.

Hey 711 you presume to speak for the masses? Apparently not according to 1150. Why not be positive and add yourself to the dialog instead of beating down those who try and contribute?

The ECNL composite is unquestionably a step down team to both the ECNL teams (u17 and u18/19). However it is a step above NPL level. At NPL level by this age it is highly doubtful that a kid will move up to ECNL. I would expect several, at least, of the 00/99/98 composite kids to move up to the 99/00 ECNL team a year form now. It will serve to "hold" and develop some talent for a year. I see it as an interim team of yes mostly bubble type players for a year. However a significant number of them will bump up back to ECNL for their final year in youth soccer. No I am not a coach or DOC. I am just a parent

@7:00, adding to the others who have commented re the composite team, not sure where your daughter is but it may be better for development to be on a composite team and get a lot of playing time and confidence than a roster add to another ECNL team where playing time may be little to none.

And, agree with 9:04, movement to other ECNL teams because of ability to show talent and commitment could occur as well, if that is what she or you want.

Does anyone have any insight as to when Clubs will start to hear if they have been chosen as DA? And, will this affect play for 2016-17 season or the following? Lastly, will those Clubs be able to participate in ECNL, too?

Birth year mandates and Development Academies at same time, Soccer Jenga going on.

Composite is about money. If the players are the same, whether you call them ECNL or NPL then surely the level is the same? I get the combining of age groups, but if development really was the goal, this would have been done ages ago. One team per age group makes little sense for girls.

I hear development all the time. What development? By this age, and even earlier, its all about recruiting the best players to your club and winning. If these club really created a true dev platform, why would we not see more NPL kids graduating to the ECNL teams? Where is the loyalty? Where is the growth?

The composite team is byproduct of inflated rosters, too many bubble kids being sold an ECNL ticket and now, when reality strikes, an attempt to keep the $$$ in house and offer a clear financially based compromise.

If that works for you, then im sure your DOC will be happy to take your dough. But lets call it what it is.

July 1 a rolling admission will start. The online application opened last week. The USSF could care less if the have both. I don't think the ECNL is going to mandate no ECNL for DA clubs, but I am going on that PDA is definitely going for DA and they are leaders in ECNL. The ECNL hasn't issued an official position. I think right now there is something gin the rules or bylaws that says a club has to enter its top team in each age group into the ECNL. That wouldn't necessarily be the case for DA clubs s the ECNL will likely have to change the rule to accommodate bot DA and ECNL teams within the same club. The USSF wont let individual players except for a limited number of "developmental players" (DP) play both.

10:09 - Agreed in part. Development in any sport anymore is a business. Gone are the sandlot sport days.

But ECNL is still being discovered by some families. So, those not developed in-house or by other quality ECNL Clubs, need to learn technical touches and soccer iq then those never exposed to it. And, there are some transfering of players from NPL to ECNL and both.

You do realize that some are not going to be high level athletes in any sports. That doesn't mean one can't enjoy them, get proper training and continue to develop. Developing is a lifetime thing; not limited to youth sports. Some top athletes didn't realize their potential until older. Youth is wasted on the young (and overly critical parents).

Hey 10:41, I guess you are feeding into the prior discussions re USSF and the inability to go outside their youth rosters for talent that may be up and coming as development (and biology; getting taller; stronger; smarter, etc.) are ongoing.

I guess that is why other sports have farm systems that are broader and then narrow. Maybe that is what the DA's are supposed to do.

This year is very unusual and following years the issue will be slightly mitigated, but the problem will continue to exist as it does with the DA. Basically the problem is present where there is more than one age group, representing more than one graduating class, on a team.

This year we have the u16 99/00 team, the u17 99/98 team and the u18 98/97 teams all of whom may contain players who were born in the year 1999 and 1998 and will not graduate before June 2017. These players will be available next year as high schoolers to play on the u18/19 99/98 team in 2017. Throughout our children's history we have encountered the stranded senior who was likely born between march and July, but was held back for whatever reason. They have played their youth soccer on teams with kids largely in the grade ahead. They bounce back as senior to play U19 (most tournaments don't have a u18 group only u19) or can play as "trapped seniors" in the ECNL U18 teams. So having an "extra kid" bounce down to an existing rising u18 team is not unusual. However what follows is:

This year, as has been historically the case, the U17 (mostly rising seniors) teams will largely become the rising u18/19 team with the 1 or 2 trapped rising senior 98s joining in from the current u18 team. Those trapped players would normally just be absorbed with little fanfare and all would be the same as has always been.

Except we now have a new and unprecedented, at least on the girls side, situation where this fully developed, existing team of mostly seniors, is the only possible ECNL level refuge for the kids born late year 1999 and coming from the U16 99/00 team. These kids are largely Juniors with 2 more years of youth soccer ahead of them. They have been playing at a "lower" younger level than those with whom they must now compete for coveted spots on the 99/98 ECNL team. They are indeed ECNL level players, but are less developed because of the previous cutoff and lesser number years to develop.

The clubs don't want to toss away half of the u16 99/00 team. These are players with 2 years left of youth soccer. Further, they may actually be among the stronger players, if developed well over the interim on "composite teams", on the following year's ECNL (DA) u18/19 teams. I agree one option would be to pour resources into the u18/19 NPL teams and simply shunt the lower level players down to lesser teams. In fact that's what I thought would happen. However, I don't disagree with the ECNL solution of this "holding" "composite" team of mostly junior displaced 99s for these players who are displaced because of the combining of essentially 1.5 ECNL level teams into 1 team.

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